Yalda
Pomegranate and orange blossom for the longest night of the year.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | ml | oz |
|---|---|---|
| Vodka | 50 ml | 1⅔ oz |
| Fresh pomegranate juice · homemade, J07 | 30 ml | 1 oz |
| Pomegranate syrup · homemade, P09 | 10 ml | ⅓ oz |
| Fresh lemon juice · homemade, J01 | 10 ml | ⅓ oz |
| Orange blossom syrup · homemade, P05 | 5 ml | 1 tsp |
Ounces are rounded; measure in ml for accuracy. Homemade items link to their own page.
chilled coupe
shaken with ice, served up
small orange twist
The story
On Shab-e Yalda, the longest night of the year, families across Iran gather at the grandparents’ house and stay awake until dawn, when the light returns. The table is spread with pomegranates, watermelon and ajil, nuts and dried fruit; someone reads Hafez aloud, and each person opens the book for a fortune. The pomegranate’s red seeds stand for the glow of dawn and the warmth of life. This is the drink for that night.
Method
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 12–15 seconds.
- Double-strain into a chilled coupe.
- Express a small orange twist over the top.
How it tastes
Juicy and bright, with ruby pomegranate, a lemon edge and a soft floral finish of orange blossom.
Persian taste: malas (sweet-sour)
Pair it with
- Food: Fesenjan, walnut and pomegranate stew, a spoonful each.
- Sweet: A bowl of fresh pomegranate seeds and chilled watermelon.
- Snack: Ajil-e Yalda
Variations
Gin Yalda
Use gin for a more botanical drink.
Yalda & Pistachio (V01)
Replace both syrups with 15 ml pistachio orgeat for a soft, nutty, pink drink.
Alcohol-free
40 ml pomegranate juice, 15 ml pomegranate syrup, 10 ml lemon, a drop of orange-blossom water, topped with soda.
Balancing tips
- The fresh juice gives fruit; the syrup sets the sweetness. Adjust the syrup, not the juice.
- If too sweet, add 5 ml lemon.
Allergens
- No common allergens.
- Contains alcohol. Please drink responsibly.
Development notes
- Status: draft recipe, not yet taste-tested.
- Check sweetness with fresh versus bottled juice.
- Inspiration: Original house recipe.
Watch it mixed
Follow along
Steps light up as the animation plays. Tap a step to jump to it.
Heads-up: this animation was rendered from an earlier draft, so the amounts on screen differ slightly. Follow the ingredient table above.
All of Iran, imagined
